A week after his wife Rhonda broke through for her well earned win it would now be Richard Schultz who would keep that winning feeling in the family after comfortably taking out race 5 of the Bendigo Athletic Club cross country season.
The race was kindly sponsored by long time supporter of the sport Phil Noden. In keeping with the family theme, the 6.5km course was held at his fathers, Keith Noden’s property at Millers Flat Road in the Whipstick.
As one of the front markers Richard took full advantage of his mark and set out with deliberate determination to open up as big a lead as he could. As the race progressed and Richard armed with the knowledge that pre race favourite, Josh Sait would be coming home like a rocket, he had opened up a commanding lead. With about four hundred metres to go, Richard was starting to tire but to his credit fought on with great resolve to hold off the rampaging Sait who once again had to settle for second place.
As well as picking up the $250 first prize for race 5, Richard also took out top spot in the Flack Advisory Veterans award, just ahead of Tony Sait and Greg Hilson.
As mentioned before, Josh Sait came second overall but once again took out maximum points in the Bendigo Bank Fastest Time award, clocking an impressive 22.05 minutes, from Phil Noden and Kyall Britten third fastest.
For the ladies, maximum points in the Bendigo Original Pie Shop Ladies award went to last week’s winner Rhonda Schultz, just ahead of Ingrid Douglass and Demi Goodall-Hoffman in third place.
While in the Liz & Mark Findlay U23 award it would be first year runner Reza Azimi who took top honours, ahead of Demi Goodall-Hoffman and Gab Sait.
Lastly in the Bridge Hotel Open award it was second place getter Josh Sait who once again claimed top spot, well clear of Joel Le Busque and Brett Gilligan in third.
In the children’s event over the 1km distance it was Baxter Parker who took out the race by the barest of margins of just 1 second from Isabella Ellis. Young Parker took the lead from his brother Jack early in the race and lead all the way but was very nearly pipped on the post from a fast finishing Ellis. Emma Gilligan took fastest time honours with a sizzling 3.43 mins just one second quicker than Matthew Noden.
There is no race next weekend as the club takes a short rest for the long weekend and then gears itself for one of the feature event for the year, the 6.5km Flack Advisory Winter Classic. The event to be held on Sunday the 14th of June at 11am at the Woodvale Recreation Reserve will be a combined event with members of the Victorian Cross Country League (VCCL). Any BAC members who would like to enter who haven’t already done so can contact club secretary Mark Perdon on 0429132229